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Can You Grow Eggplant in California?

US · USDA Zone 9b · zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Grows well here

Eggplant grows well here with the warm season your zone provides.

Plant zones

5a–11b

California last frost

mid-January

California first frost

late December

Days to harvest

65–80 days

When to plant Eggplants in California

Start indoors

Jan 1

Transplant

Jan 10

Harvest

Mar 16 – Mar 31

Dates are approximate, based on California's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Eggplant

Eggplant needs a long warm season and maximum heat — more demanding than tomatoes but highly productive in the right conditions.

Start indoors 8 weeks before last frost — eggplant needs a long head start. Needs hot conditions to set fruit. Use black plastic mulch to warm soil. Very productive once established in heat.

Full eggplant growing guide →

Gardening in California

California spans more climate zones than any other state. Coastal regions are mild year-round; the Central Valley is hot and productive; mountains are cold; deserts are extreme.

See what grows well in California →

Frequently asked questions

Can you grow Eggplant in California?

Eggplant grows well here with the warm season your zone provides.

What zone is California?

California spans USDA Zone 9b (5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b).

When do you plant Eggplants in California?

Plant Eggplants around mid-January (start indoors Jan 1), harvest Mar 16 – Mar 31.